Selective wire printing machine



July 13, 1954 Filed March 8 1949 H l1-H..."

w. WOCKENFUSS ET AL 2,683,410

SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet l I ei r gf a' INVENTORS.William hbalrenfuss July 13, 1954 w. WOCKENFUSS El AL 2,533,410

SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 8 1949INVENTORS. William Waekenf'mss y 1954 w. WOCKENFUSS ET AL 2,683,

SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE 7 SheetsSheet 3 Filed March 8 1949INVENTORS. Mil ljam lfwkezzhzss By and Web,

y 1954 w. WOCKENFUSS Er AL 83,

SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 8 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTORS. Mllzam ll bdrezzfass flTTOE'VEI T y 1954 w. WOCKENFUSS El AL2,683,410

I SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 8, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR. I William Wash-rams BY and Eennazui'aeh,

y 1954 w. WOCKENFUSS ET AL 0 SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE Filed March8, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR. William llwkenfibs'samdflaz-nzalglgwlz,

y 1954 w. WOCKENFUSS ET AL 2,683,410

SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 8, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 TCONDUCTORS 7/ 90 I I80 v 225 270 515 360 CARD Pk/NT CAM c4 DISTRIBUTORZR0 PRINT CAM C5 PR/NT BAIL 55 INVENTORS. William mkenfzws BY andHarmlfipoh,

Patented July 13, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SELECTIVE WIREPRINTING MACHINE Application March 8, 1949, Serial No. 80,136

21 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in printing machines and hasparticular reference to a machine wherein one or more print heads areemployed, each comprising a multiplicity of printing elements adaptedfor selective operation in various combinations to form differentcharacters.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved and practicalconstruction of a printing machine in which a plurality of print headsof the type referred to are assembled into groups each carried by anindividually mounted panel which also supports the selectively operablecontrols for the printing elements of the various heads on said panel.

Another object is to cyclically move the printing elements of a head toand from print and non-print positions and to control said movements bymeans of retaining devices for said elements which are renderedineffective by one of the movements and are then selectively maintainedineffective during a printing cycle.

Another object resides in the provision of an improved printing machinewherein a group of printing elements are operable in variouscombinations to form different characters, and to provideelectromagnetic devices which cooperate with said printing elements andwhich are selectively operable to identify by their energization thecombination of printing elements required to print any one of saidcharacters.

Another object is to employ a movement of a controlled element to closethe air gap of an armature of an electromagnetic device which controlssaid element, and to thereafter energize said device to maintain itsarmature in closing position.

The above and other objects of the invention will appear more clearlyfrom the following detailed description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings but it is to be expressly understood that saiddrawings are employed merely to facilitate the description of theinvention as a whole and not to define the limits thereof, referencebeing had to the appended claims for this purpose.

In the drawings:

Fig. i is a fragmentary front elevation of a printing machineconstructed in accordance with the invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 andillustrating a complete panel or print section on which is mounted sixprint heads, the character forming elements of each head and theindividual controls for said elements, there being also illustrated insaid figure a portion of the common mechanism for cyclically controllingthe print heads of all of the print sections;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of thelower portion of one of the panels or print section illustrating theretaining or latching devices for two of the printing or characterforming elements of a print head and showing said devices in theirnormal operative condition in which said printing elements are retainedin a non-print position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating the positionassumed by a latching device of one of the printing elements upon returnof the latter to a non-print position under the control of a restoringbail which forms a part of the cyclically operating means that controlsthe movements of the printing elements to and from print and non-printpositions;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 5 showing two printing elementsin their advanced or print positions, with the latching devices for saidelements maintained in their inoperative positions by the energizationof the electromagnetic devices associated therewith;

Fig. 6a is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of a modified form ofprinting element and its associated electromagnetic device;

Fig. '7 is a bottom plan view of the print section or panel shown inFig. 6;

Figs. 8 and 9 combine to illustrate diagrammatically the controlcircuits for one of the print heads by which selection of the printingelements constituting said head to form any particular character isaccomplished in accordance with the analysis of a punched card orsimilar statistical record;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a circuit for controllingthe elimination of printing of zeros to the left of a significantfigure;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a timing chart for themachine;

Fig. 12 is a greatly enlarged view of the type of character to beprinted; and

Fig. 13 is a similar View showing diagrammatically, one of the printheads with the various printing elements comprising said head indicatedby numerals.

Reference is first had to Figs. 1 to 7 which structurally show themachine as comprising the side plates l5 and 16 connected by the tierods H, and between these plates are suitably supported a plurality ofindividual print sections, generally indicated at H8, in the form ofsubstantially rectangular and narrow panels which are verticallyarranged in abutting relation. The front of each panel is constituted bya block 58 (Fig. 2) of any suitable synthetic resin capable of beingmolded and having its top and bottom edges converging forwardly so as toimpart a generally tapered formation to said block with its forwardextremity terminating in a rectangular end portion 253 which, along withsimilar portions of the other blocks it of the various panels, is freelymounted in a support 2i extending across the front of the machine andattached, by the side members 22, to the plates 55, it. The 222 securethe rear portion of each block it to the recessed heads 24 at the upperand lower front corners of the main section of the panel is, and upperand lower angle straps 25 secured to the plates 115, I6 and extendingacross front of the machine are engaged by the blocks 2 of all of thepanels and thereby assist in. retaining the latter in operativeposition. Other straps 25 removably secured to the plates i5, ill at therear of the machine and an intermediate top strap 2? extending betweensaid plates further maintain the panels in position. Bottom rollers 28supported by said side plates are engaged by the lower edges of thepanels to support the same and to facilitate their easy removal andreplacement.

As shown in Fig. l, the end portion 29 of each block it contains sixprint heads 29 arranged in horizontal pairs so as to provide for threelines of printing, but it will be understood that the number of headsand their line arrangement is arbitrary.

The block E9 of each panel has extending therethrough six groups ofmovable printing elements til, each group being conventionallyrepresented in Fig. 2 by two dotted lines. Said printelements are in theform of wires of very small diameter and, within the block 59, theyextend through guide tubes 3| molded in said block with their inner orrear projecting ends fixed in a mounting plate 32 (Figs. 4 and 6)extending between the upper and lower blocks as. Said tubes, andconsequently the wires 32 guided thereby, converge forwardly into theend portion 2B] of the block I9 Where the wires of each of said groupscombine to form one of the print heads 29.

As illustrated in the co-pending application of William Wockenfuss,Serial No. 35,307, filed June 26 1948, the present construction may alsoemploy thirty-five printing wires to constitute single print head, andthe slight reciprocating movements of these wires between non-printprint positions are selectively controlled in various combinations, andin accordance with the analysis of a record such as a tabulating card,to form different characters which are impressed upon a sheet 33 movableover a platen in any preferred manner. As herein shown and more fullydescribed hereinafter, the selection of certain of the printing wires ofa group results in the advancement of those wires from non print toprint positions, but it is within the scope of the invention to reversethe above action by arresting the selected wires in non-print positionand permitting those that are not selected to move to print position toform any particular character, as illustrated in Fig. 6a which willlater be described.

In the main portion of each panel 8, as shown in Fig. 2, each group ofwires to has assigned thereto a supporting unit, generally indicated at35, in vertical alignment with the five other similar units constitutingthe panel. Each of said units comprises upper and lower pairs of spacedsupporting bars 3% (Fig. 3) the inner opposed edges of which convergerearwardly so as to be inclined. with respect to the horizontal for apurpose which will later appear, and joining said bars are a pluralityof vertically disposed and equi-distantly spaced guide plates i? for therear portions of the printing elements till. Said rear portions are ofdifferent lengths, as indicated by the stepped formation of the two dotand dash lines in Fig. 2 in each of the units 35, and the movements ofeach printing element are controlled by an electromagnetic device,generally indicated at 38, mounted upon the inolined inner surface ofone of the of bars 35 and between two adjacent guide plates 3?. Onlythree of such devices 33 are shown in Fig. 2 to avoid duplication ofilustration. In Fig. 3, all thirty-five printing wires are shown asextending through the forward end wall 38 of the panel and as beingarranged in two outer vertical rows of twelve each which arehorizontally opposed to each other and an intermediate row of elevenwires disposed in staggered relation to the wires of the outer rows. InFig.2, the portions of the two dot and dash lines extending through thewall 39 and the first plate 3? to the right, represent the two wires 3!]at the top and bottom of the left hand row in 3, and as indicated at 40in Figs. 4 and 6, said two wires terminate just beyond said first plateBl and are the shortest of all of the thirty-five wires in the group.The continuation of the dot and dash lines on the same level between thefirst and second plates 3'! represent the top and bottom wires in theright hand row of Fig. 3 and these wires, which are the next shortest,terminate just beyond said second plate where the first step in thedot-dash lines occurs in Fig. 2. The two short lines extending betweenthe first and second steps and projecting through the third plate 37,represent the top and bottom wires Sli of the intermediate row in Fig.3. The next two long lines between the second and third steps in Fig. 2and extending through the fourth and fifth plates 3?, represent the twosecond upperniost and the two second lowermost printing wires in the twoouter columns in Fig. 3, while the next two short lines in Fig. 2represent the sec ond uppermost and second lowermost wires in theintermediate row of Fig. 3, and so on throughout the length of the panelto the thirtyfifth wire which is the longest and is the midd e one insaid intermediate row controlled by electromagnetic device 38 shown atthe Fig. 2. Thus it will be seen that as the v "e progressively extendto the right, the approach the horizontal centerline of the supportingunit 35, thus necessitating the incur terline to bring each device 38into cooperative relation with its individual printing wire, thispositioning of the devlces 38 being accomplished last space at theextreme right, opposite device 38 which controls the thirty-fifth wire,being vacant.

Referring now to Figs. 4 to 6, portions of the printing wires 30 whichproject from the rear ends of the guide tubes 31 where the latter aresecured in the plate 32 of each panel, are rigidly fastened to theforward ends of rods 4! which thereby become parts of the printingelements. Said rods are slidable in the guide plate 42 and each rod hasan enlargement 43 thereon forming an abutment for one end of anexpansion spring 44 coiled on said rod and engaging at its other end therigid wall 39. Said spring forms part of a mechanism for cyclicallycontrolling the movements of the printing element between non-print andprint positions and acts to constantly urge said element toward itsprint position when the spring is under compression. The lowermost andshortest rod 4| shown in Figs. 4 and 6 is the element shown at thebottom of the left hand row in Fig. 3, and the portion of another rodextending to the right beyond the rear end 40 of the first rod is thebottom ele ment in the right hand row of Fig. 3, both said rods being inhorizontal alignment. The next lowermost rod 4| fragmentarily shown inFigs. 4 and 6 is the bottom element in the intermediate row of Fig. 3;the third rod shown is the next to the lowermost element in the lefthand row of the latter figure; the fourth rod is the second lowermostelement in said intermediate row; the remaining rods (not shown in Figs.4 and 6) alternate in the same manner and progressively increase inlength until they reach the horizontal centerline of the supporting unit35; and for the upper half of the unit, the rods are similarly arrangedbeginning with the two shortest rods at the top.

Figs. 4 and 6 show the electromagnetic devices 38 for controlling thetwo lowermost rods 4! and the printing wires 39 of which they form apart. and since said control is the same in each instance a descriptionof the operation of one of the printing elements will suiiice. Eachdevice 38 comprises a substantially U-shaped plate 45 secured at itsintermediate portion between the bars 36 by means of screws 46, with oneleg of the plate forming the core of said device while the other legprovides a pivotal support for the armature 41 which constitutes a latchfor its associated printing element whereby to control its movement. Acoil spring 48 connects one end of the armature 41 to the lower portionof the plate t5 and acts to normally urge said armature to its latchingor operative position with its air gap open, and to restore saidarmature to such position upon deenergiza-tion of the coil of themagnet. When in said normal position, a shoulder 49 on the armaturelatch engages a stop collar 50 on the rod ll to prevent advancement ofthe printing element to print position under the infiuence of its springis which is now compressed. Also, in said normal position of the rod, anarmature actuating collar 5! thereon is slightly spaced from a secondshoulder 52 on the latch 4'2. During each cycle of operation all therods ll in the various panels are simultaneously moved rearwardly, in amanner to presently appear, from either their print positions or theirprimary non-print position of Fig. 4, depending upon their action in theprevious operating cycle, to a secondary non-print position shown inFig.

'5 wherein only one of the rods M and its device 38 are illustrated.During thisslight movement, the

collar disengages from its shoulder 49 and the collar 5! then engagesthe shoulder 52 of its associated armature latch 41 and, by thiscontact, urges said latch to close its air gap. It is at this instant inthe cycle of an operation that simultaneous selection of all of theprinting elements to be operated in the various panels and print headsis efiected by the energization of those devices 38 individual to theelements 3!! which are to be advanced to print positions; and thearmature latches of the elements which are not selected for printing areimmediately restored to normal because of the non-energization of theirdevices 38 so that their stop shoulders 49 will be interposed in thepath of the collars 50 to pre vent advancement of the associatedprinting elements beyond the position of Fig. 4 and under the control ofthe springs 44. Because of the preliminary action of closing thearmature air gaps under control of the rearward movements of the rods 4!to their secondary non-print positions of Fig. 5, the current necessaryto energize the coils of the various selected devices 38 to therebyretain the armatures in inoperative positions during an operating cycle,will be reduced to a mini mum. With the armatures of the selecteddevices thus positioned, their respective printing elements will be freeto be advanced by the springs 44 to the print position shown in Fig. 6wherein three of the four elements therein illustrated are so advanced,the fourth element being shown in its primary non-print position of Fig.4 which it assumes by reason of the failure of its device 38 to beenergized and the consequent immediate restoration of the armature, bythe spring cc, to its operative position in the path of the collar "isbefore the latter can pass beyond the shoulder 49 under the initialimpetus of the spring 24.

As previously mentioned, the springs A l form part of the mechanism forcontrolling the cyclic operation of the printing elements, their actionbeing to advance said elements to print positions which is immediatelyfollowed by the de-ener gization of all devices 38, as will laterappear. Cooperating with said springs to complete the cycle of operationby restoring the printing elements to their secondary non-printpositions of Fig. 5 in order to close the armature latches 4? of allprinting elements and, at the same time, place the springs it undercompression, is a bail 53 for each of the panels l8 and common to allthe printing elements in the six units 35 comprising said panel. Eachbail extends between the heads 24 of a panel and is substantially thewidth thereof. It is mounted between the guide plates 32, 52, and has areciprocatory movement of slight magnitude, as indicated by the full anddotted lines in Fig. 4, and all the wires 3t pass freely therethrough.As the bail is moved forwardly, it permits the springs M to advance allprinting elements which have not been latched by the armatures t1, andas soon as said elements have reached the print position said ballstarts its rearward or restoring movement. In so doing,

it engages the forward ends of the advanced rods 7 ill and pushes themrearwardly to retract the printing elements to non-print positions andcompress the springs id. Upon reaching the rearmost dotted line positionof Fig. 4., which is also the full line position of Fig. 5, the bailwill have moved all the rods ii through their primary non-printpositions and. to their secondary positions in which the collars 5! willclose the armature latches A! as previously described. Here,

the bail dwells during analysis of a record card and until selecteddevices 38 are energized to retain their latches in inoperativeposition, whereupon the bail again advances to permit expansion of thesprings 44. The initial impetus of said springs disengages the collarsfrom the shoulders 52 of the armature latches the springs 38 of thoselatches which are not held in closed position because of thenon-energized condition of their magnets will immediately restore suchlatches to their operative position where they will be engaged by thecollars 5E1 of those printing elements which are not to be furtheradvanced toward printing positions.

For the purpose of reciprocating the various bails associated with thediilerent panels [8, each bail is provided at its upper and lower endswith recessed heads 54 slidable in the blocks 24 of its panel, andengageable with each head is a bell crank 55. Upper and lower rockshafts 5E and El journaled in the side plates l5, l6 and common to allthe panels, each carries a plurality of arms 58, one for each of thebails 53. Each arm freely engages in a recessed end of one of the bellcranks 55 to impart thereto an oscillatory movement which causes thereciprocation of the associated bail 53.

To drive all of the bails simultaneously, a source of power (not shown)is geared at 59 (Fig. 1) to a vertically extending shaft 56 supported bythe side plate l5. At the upper end of the machine, gearing 6| couplesthe shaft 69 to a stub shaft 62 journaled in the late l5 and the lowerend of said shaft 60 is similarly connected to a stub shaft 63 (Fig. 2).Said shafts 52, 63 mount the complementary cams B l, 85 each ongaged bydifferent arms of the followers 56 connected by links El to the crankarms 98 secured on the shafts 56 and :5! so as to impart simultaneousrocking movement thereto and thus reciprocate the various bails inunison.

Reference is now had to Figs. 8 and 9 which illustrate the circuits thatselectively control the thirty-five electromagnetic devices 38 allottedto the printing elements of one print head, the circuits for theremaining print heads being duplicates of those shown. Devices 38 areselectable for energization in various combinations and in accordancewith any desired code such as the two-hole combin-ational code foralphabetical characters disclosed in the aforementioned copendingapplication, wherein twelve index point positions are provided in eachcolumn of a card. The first three of said positions to be sensed for analphabetical character in each card column are designated in Fig. 11 as#12, #11 and #0 and the zoning points assigned, respectively, to theletters A-I, J-R and SZ, each of said letters having further assignedthereto in its col umn one of the other numerical index points 1 to 9.In this code and in the system herein shown, the character 0, whether itis employed to designate the letter or a zero, is formed by theenergiza-tion of the same group of devices 38 but, as will be seen inthe course of the description, the shection of said group for theprinting of a zero is accomplished difierently for the letter. The coilsof said devices each have one terminal thereof joined to a common busbar 69 connected to a conductor 10, and the other terminal thereof to anindividual conductor 1 l, and said conductor is connected to a bus 12 towhich all similar conductors of the various print heads are joined.

A record card feed mechanism (not shown) of any desired constructionsuccessively feeds the cards to a sensing device conventionallyillustrated as comprising the contact roll l3 and a series of brushes14, one for each card column, which progressively sense punched indexpoints in the card columns as the card is fed between the roll andbrushes, and a distributor 75 operates in synchronism with the feed ofthe cards so that the wiper thereof will successively engage its twelvecontacts simultaneously with the sensing of the corresponding indexpoints in the card columns. all said contacts being multipled to theother print heads.

Assigned to the index point positions #12, #11 and #0 of each column ofthe record card are the three zoning thyratrons '55, ll and '18 ofstandard construction which have the characteristic of remainingconductive, once they are fired, until the voltage is removed from theplate elements thereof. The plate elements of said tubes 16, ll and 18are connected to associated zoning relays 19, 8d and 81, and the firingof any one of said tubes by the sensing of a hole at a zoning indexpoint position in the card simultaneously with the engagement of thewiper of the distributor 75 with a contact corresponding to said point,determines the zone of the alphabetical character to be printed. Thus,when the tube is is made conductive through the brush is and thedistributor 15, its relay '19 will be energized, and remain so as longas the tube is conductive, to close its nine contacts designated A to I(Fig. 8), thereby determining that the character to be printed iscontained within this group. In the same manner, energization of relaysor iii establishes that the character to be printed is in the J to R orthe S to Z groups. The contacts A to Z of the various zones areconnected. to different groups of the conductors ll leading to theelectromagnetic devices 38 so that when selection of any contact in anyone of said is made, in a manner to later appear, i the sensing of thesecond hole in a card coin the devices 38 assigned to said contact willbe energized and their respective printing elements will be advanced toprint position. A fourth zoning relay 82 is assigned to the printing ofthe numerals 1 to 9, but if either one of the tube ll or T8 is fired, arelay 33 multipled to the c ode elements of said tubes is energized an:by opening its back contact M, will disconnect relay 82 from the powersupply 85 (Fig. 8). Or.- the other hand, if no zoning tube is fired to et the printing of an alphabetical character due to the failure of thesensing brush Hi to sense a hole at any one of the zoning index points,relay 82 will be energized to close its group of cont. l to 8 shown atthe right of Fig. 9 to await the sensing of a hole in the card columndesignating the particular numeral to be printed.

With any one of the tubes '15 to "E3 rendered conductive and itscorresponding set of alphabetical contacts closed, the second hole ofthe two-hole combination in a card column is then sensed by its brush itand, through the distributor 15, this results in the firing of one ofthe nine thyratrons 86 to 94 identified by the sensed hole and theestablishment of circuits thr gh one of said set of alphabeticalcontacts in the selected zone to the group of devices Bil which are tocontrol the particular alphabetical character to be printed.

As one specific example, it will be assumed that the letter A is to beprinted and in order to better follow the circuits for the variousdevices 38 which are to be energized, the conductors t5 acsaci leadingfrom the contact A controlled by the relay I9 are indicated by heavierlines, and rectifiers 96 are interjected in all circuit groups at pointswhere it is desired to prevent the shunting effect of unrelated circuitgroups which may have connection to the same conductor 'II. The letterA, when printed, takes the form shown in Fig. 12 and, by reference toFig. 13 wherein the printing elements 30 of a head are diagrammaticallydesignated by the numerals l to 35, it will be seen that the elements tobe actuated, and consequently the devices 38 (also numbered 1 to 35 onthe bus bar 69) to be energized in order to print said letter, areidentified in Fig. 13 by the eighteen numerals 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 30, 31 and 35. Thus, the contact A isconnected by the conductors 95 to the eighteen conductors 'li throughwhich the circuits of the selected electromagnetic devices 38 will beenergized. As another example, the contact for the numeral 1 controlledby the relay 82 has three conductors leading therefrom which areconnected to seven conductors ll joined to a corresponding number ofdevices 38 identified in Fig. 13 and on the bus bar 69 by the numerals3, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28 and 33.

The cycle of operation for printing various characters will now bedescribed specifically in connection with the printing of the letter Awhich involves the successive sensing, by the brush i i, of the punchedindex points #12 and #'1 in the card column assigned to said brush,which sensing results in the firing of the thyratrons it and 86.Immediately upon entry of the leading edge of a card between the roll l3and brush it, the code holding cam cI (Fig. 9) closes its contact andremains in this condition throughout the entire operating cycleincluding the printing of the selected characters, as indicated in Fig.11. At the beginning of the cycle, the three zoning thyratrons 16 to 18and the nine numeric Thyratrons 86 to 94 are non-conductive clue to theapplication of a negative bias from the power source 85 through thebridge network of each tube to the grid thereof and, upon closure of thecontact of holding cam cl, positive voltage is applied to the plateelements of the tubes 16 to is from the source 85 over the conductor 91,through the contact of said cam, and the conductor 98 connected to thebus 99 common to all the print heads. The brush 14 now starts tosuccessively sense the index point positions #12, #11 and and,simultaneously therewith, the wiper of the distributor I successivelyengages contacts corresponding to said points. Since the index point #12is punched for the letter A, contact by the brush M will be made withthe roll 13 and, with the distributor wiper simultaneously engaging itscontact #12, zero potential from the intermediate terminal of the source85 will be applied through the conductor I80, the #12 contact of saiddistributor, and the conductor IilI to one midpoint of the bridgenetwork connected to the grid element of the zoning tube I6 and, at thesame time, said potential is connected, by said conductor H113, to theother midpoint of said network over the conductors I02 and I03, roll 13and brush i4, and conductor I05. The grid voltage is thereby raised tozero, causing said tube 76 to fire, whereupon current will flow from thepositive terminal of source 85 through the cam cl, the windings ofrelays l9 and 83 connected, respectively, to the plate and cathodeelements of the tube 76, and then over the conductors I02 and to theintermediate terminal .10 of the source 85,. and said relays will beenergized and held so by the cam cI. Energization of relay 33 opens itsback contact 84 to thereby disconnect the positive terminal of thesource 35 from the winding of the numerical zoning relay E52 and thusprevents the latter from closing its contacts I to 9. Relay I9 closesits group of contacts 11-5 and the zone in which appears the characterto be printed is now selected.

The card being analyzed now passes its #11 and #0 index points under thebrush it but, since no hole is punched at either or" said points, thetubes '5? and T8 are not fired and, consequently, the other two sets ofalphabetical zone contacts of relays 86 and BI remain open. Immediatelyupon completion of the sensing of the three zoning points on the card,the numeric tube holding cam 02 is operated to close its contact tothereby prepare a holding circuit for any one of the subsequently firednumerical tubes 35 to 94, said circuit extending from the positiveterminal of source 85 through the contact of cam 02, and the conductor[U6 connected to the bus Itil to which all similar conductors of thecircuits for the remaining print heads are joined, said conductor [06being connected through a resistance to the plate element of each ofsaid numeric tubes. Said cam 02 maintains its contact closed throughoutthe sensing of all nine numerical index points, as indicated in Fig. 11,and opens said contact directly after the print bail 53 has started itsadvance.

The brush It now senses the hole punched in the #1 index point whichcompletes the combinational code for the letter A and, at the sameinstant that said hole is being sensed, the numeric zone cam 03 (Fig. 8)closes its contact and holds it closed, for a purpose which will laterappear, until the printing operation is completed. When hole #1 issensed in the card, the wiper of distributor '55 also engages its #1contact, thereby connecting zero potential from the source 85 over theconductors H30 and Its to one midpoint of the bridge network of tube 8t,while the other midpoint of said network is connected to said potentialover the conductors I92 and Its, the roll '13 and brush it, andconductors t5 and I99, thus raising the grid voltage of said tube tozero and causing the same to fire. The tube is maintained conductivefrom the intermediate terminal of source 85 through the winding of relayIIS, the tube 86 and its holding resistor, the common conductor E06, andthe contact of cam c2 to the positive terminal of said source 85. RelayI i3 is energized by the current flowing from the plate of said tube 86,for a purpose to later appear in connection with the elimination ofzeros to the left of a significant figure.

Brush I4 now continues to sense the remaining numerical index pointpositions and upon the sensing of the last or #9 position, the print cam04 closes to establish circuits from the positive terminal of the source85 for the energization of the eighteen previously mentionedelectromagnetic devices 33 whose associated printing elements 35) formthe letter A, said circuits extending from the positive terminal ofsource 85 over the conductor 97, the contact of cam c t, conductor Itand bus es, the windings of the eighteen devices 33, the conductors Hconnected to said windings, the conductors 95, the contact A of thezoning relay 19, the tube 86 and through the winding of relay II!) tothe intermediate terminal of the source 85. All of said devices 33 nowenergize to retain their armature latches 41 in the position of Fig. 5,as previously described, to thus permit the respective printing elementsto be advanced to the position shown in Fig. 6. During the sensing ofthe card and until after the contact of print cam 04 has been closed,the print bail 53 dwells in the position shown in Fig. 5 and indicatedin Fig. 11, and immediately after the energization of the electromagnets38, said bail advances to permit the selected printing elements to moveforward toprint position and then returns to the non-print position atthe conclusion of the cycle to perform the previously describedfunctions of restoring the printing elements and again actuating thearmature latches il to close their air gaps preparatory to anotherselection in the next operating cycle.

In the event that no one of the three zoning tubes 16 to '18 is fireddue to the failure of the brush 14 to sense a hole in the three zoningpoints on a card, indicating that a numerical character is to beprinted, it will be apparent from the foregoing that relay 83 connectedto the cathode ele ments of said tubes will not be energized andtherefore its back contact 84 will remain closed. Hence, as soc-n as thecams 0! and 03 close their contacts, an energizing circuit for thenumerical zoning relay 82 will be established extending from the source85 through the conductor 91, the contact of cam cl, conductor 98,winding of relay 82, back contact 84 of relay 83 and the contact of camc3 to the intermediate terminal of the source 85. Upon energization ofrelay 82 in this circuit, its group of numerical contacts I to 8 areclosed and await the sensing of the hole punched in one of the numericalindex points in the card column. When this occurs, zero potential willbe applied to the grid of one of the tubes 86 to 94, depending uponwhich hole is sensed, through the brush M and distributor 15 in a mannerwhich will now be understood. Said tube will then fire and will remainconductive through the contact of cam 02 and conduc tor 506, aspreviously described. Upon closure of the print cam 04 at the conclusionof the sensing of the last index point position of a card, energizingcircuits will be established for the electromagnetic devices 38 whichare selected to effect the printing of the desired numerical character,said circuits extending, as previously described, through said cam 04and over the conductors 'H which are connected to the numerical contactof relay 32 that extends to the plate element of the fired tube, andfrom thence the circuit extends through the Winding of relay I it to theintermediate terminal of the source 85. Energization or" the selectedgroup of devices 38 permits the associated printing elements to beadvanced under the control of the print bail 53 to print the desirednumeral.

With respect to the character 0, it has been previously mentioned thatthe same is formed by the energization of the same group ofelectromagnetic devices 38 Whether said character is to indicate aletter or a zero, but that the selection of said group to print theletter is accomplished differently than when a zero is to be printed.This difference originates in the code punching in a card column and theconsequent firing of different Thyratrons during the course of theanalysis of said column. The letter is formed by punching the indexpoints #11 and #6, while for a zero, only the zoning index point #0 ispunched. From the foregoing description, it will now be understood thatthe group of conductors connected to the contact 6 controlled by therelay 88 and selected for the energization of the devices 38 whichcontrol the printing of the letter O, is accomplished by the firing ofthe zoning tube H and the numerical tube 9%. When only the #0 indexpoint position is punched in the card column, indicating that a zero isto be printed, only the zoning tube '38 is fired and, at the conclusionof the sensing of said column, the zero print cam 05 (Figs. 8 and 11) isclosed. Piring of the tube 18 energizes the relay 8! in seriestherewith, closing its contacts S to Z, but this will have no effectsince none of the numerical tubes 86 to 94 is fired to extend thecircuits for the devices 38 through any one of the latter tubes.However, the closure of the additional contact ill (Fig. 3) of relay 8|will connect the conductor H2 leading from. said contact to theconductor to which the 0 contact of relay 86 is joined, and this willextend the circuits for the energization of the devices 38 which controlthe printing of the character 0, from the contact lli through the backcontact H3 of relay III] which is not energized at this time due to thenon-conductive condition of all the tubes 86 to 94, and thence over theconductor I I4, plug I 15 in the full line position of Fig. 8, and thecontact of the zero print cam 05 to the intermediate terminal of source85, whereupon the selected devices 38 will be energized. At theconclusion of any printing operation and when the bail 53 has restoredto its dwell or non-print position, all five of the control camsheretofore described open their contacts to de-energize all devices 38and relays in the various circuits, and again render all Thyratronsnon-conductive preparatory to the next card analysis.

In a tabulating card wherein a field thereof is allotted to the entry ofamounts, it is common practice, for the purpose of subsequentverification of the entries made therein, to punch the index points #0in all columns in said field to the left of a significant figure thereinand to thereafter, in the tabulation of such entries, eliminate orsuppress all zeros to the left of said figure.

Such elimination will now be described by reference to Fig. 10 whereinthere are fragmentarily shown four of the circuits illustrated in Figs.8 and 9. The first circuit unit to the left is set up, as in Fig. 8, forthe printing of all zeros by connecting the plug H5 to the two lowerjacks HQ so that a zero will be printed as above described, and it willbe assumed that the three serially arranged circuit units to the right,and any required additional ones (not shown), are assigned to thecolumns of an amount field in each of the cards to be analyzed. In orderto eliminate zeros to the left of significant figures in the printingor" entered amounts in said field, the first circuit unit of highestdenominational order (the second to the right in Fig. 10) is not pluggedin at its jack terminals, while all remaining circuits units to theright of lower denominational order have their two upper jacks connectedeach by a plug H5. With respect to said first circuit unit in the amountfield, it will be apparent from the previous description that if theletter 0 is to be printed, which involves the firing of tubes 11 and 9|,the 0 contact of the zoning relay will be closed to extend the circuitfrom said contact to the tube 9! which results in the printing of saidletter, but the current will not pass from the conductor H2 through thecontact ill of the zoning relay 8| which is not energized at 13 thistime since the zoning tube 18 is not fired. Due to the lack ofconnection between terminals N6 of said first circuit unit, it will notprint a zero in response to the sensing of only the third zoning indexpoint in a card column, which sensing results in, first, the firing oftube 18 and energization of zoning relay 8! to close the contact I l ofsaid relay and, second, the retention of the back contact N3 of relay Hin closed position because of the failure of the latter relay to beenergized through one of the tubes 86 to 94. Said conditions extend theconductors ll leading to the 0 contact over the conductor I l 2 andcontacts I! l and H3 to the conductor I [4 connected to the unpluggedmiddle jack H6 where the circuit terminates and, therefore, no printingof a zero in said first circuit unit takes place. In the second of saidcircuit units assigned to the amount field, should only the 0 indexpoint be punched in the card column individual to said unit, theconductor N4 of the latter will be extended through the plug Hconnecting the two upper jacks H6, and over the conductors H? and H3 tothe conductor H4 of the first circuit unit, and again a zero will not beprinted. On the other hand, if a significant figure is to be printed bysaid second circuit unit, its relay [It will be energized, by reason ofthe firing of one of the tubes 36 to 94, to close its front contact H9and open its back contact H3 to permit of a zero to the right of saidsignificant figure being printed by the third circuit unit of lowestdenominational order over a circuit extending from conductor N2 of saidthird unit, the then closed contact H! thereof, back contact H3 of relayiii? which is not now energized, conductor H4, plug H5, conductor I26connected to conductor i 18 of said second or next adjacent circuitunit, front contact 1 IQ of the now energized relay H0 in the latterunit, the common conductor EU, the contact of zero print cam 05 nowclosed, to the intermediate terminal of the source 85, the circuit beingcompleted from the positive terminal of said source through the devices38 and conductors H which are instrumental in printing the character 0.Thus it will be seen that zeros to the left of a significant figure areeliminated, but that those to the right are printed.

The foregoing description has been directed to that form of theinvention wherein the selective operation of the circuit of a print headhas divided the printing elements thereof into two groups, one beingidentified as including those elements whose electromagnetic devices 38are energized so that said elements can be advanced for printing, andthe other group being identified as containing those printing elementswhich are to be prevented from moving to print position by the failureof their devices 38 to be energized.

The modified structure of Fig. 6a accomplishes the reverse of theoperation hereinbefore described by energizing those electromagneticdevices whose printing elements are to be prevented from advancing toprint position. In carrying out this form of the invention, the rear endof each printing wire 30 is secured to rod d Ia similar in all respectsto the rod 4! except that it is made of magnetic material to act as akeeper and does not have the collar 5! formed thereon, as in thepreviously described embodiment. It does, however, have thereon a stopcollar 50a, similar to the collar 59, which acts as a safety device toinsure prevention of the advancement of the printing element when itsU-shaped electromagnetic device 38a is energized to attract the rod 4Iawhich has a loose fit in the guide plates 3'! and consequently a veryslight movement toward the poles of said device suificient to engagesaid rod therewith and thus be held against advancement under theinfluence of the spring 44. The slight movement of the rod lla, whenattracted by the energization of its device 3811, positions the collar59a so that it will engage behind the extremity of the adjacent pole ofits device 38d and thus prevent any forward movement of the printingelement during energization of said device.

In adapting this embodiment to the circuit of Figs. 8 and 9, it is onlynecessary to re-arrange the connections from the various alphabeticalcontacts A-Z and numerical contacts i to ii to the conductors ll so thatthose devices 38a will be energized whose printing elements for anyparticular character are not to be advanced. Thus, for example, whenprinting the numeral 1, it will be apparent by reference to Fig. 13 thatthe conductors leading from the contact l of zoning relay 82 will beconnected to the conductors 1! leading to all devices 38a represented inthe first, second, fourth and fifth vertical columns in said figure soas to energize said devices when said relay is energized and thethyratron 86 is fired. The printing elements represented by the third ormiddle column in Fig. 13 and whose devices 38a are not energized willnow be identified as the group which will then be advanced to printposition.

What is claimed is:

1. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements grouped toform different characters and selectively operable in variouscombinations each capable of printing one of said characters,electromagnetic devices cooperating with said printing elements andselectively operable to identify by their energization the combinationof printing elements required to print any one of said characters, acircuit for said devices, said circuit including a plurality of contactsone for each different combination of said printing elements andarranged in groups, circuit connections between each contact and theelectromanetic devices that identify the combination of printingelements individual to said contact, a relay for each of said groups ofcontacts for closing the same, means to energize one of said relays toclose its contacts, means operable through one of said closed contactsand the circuit connections thereto for energizing the electromagneticdevices that identify the combination of printing elements individual tosaid contact, and means controlled by the last named electromagneticdevices upon energization thereof for im parting a single operation tosaid combination of printing elements to print the complete characteridentified by said devices.

2. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements grouped toform difierent characters and selectively operable in variouscombinations each capable of printing one of said characters, anelectromagnetic device individual to and cooperating with each of saidprinting elements and selectively operable in groups to identify bytheir energization the combinations of printing elements required toprint said characters, a circuit having a current source for saiddevices, said circuit including a plurality of contacts one for eachdifferent combination of said printing elements and arranged in groups,circuit connections between each contact and the electromagnetic devicesthat identify the combination of printing elements individual to saidcontact, a relay for each of said groups of contacts for closing thesame, a plurality of electronic devices, means to activate one of thelatter devices to energize one of said relays to close its contacts,means to activate another of said electronic devices to establish fromsaid current source the circuit connections between one of the lastnamed contacts and the electromagnetic devices that identify thecombination oi printing elements individual to said contacts to therebyenergize the last named electromagnetic devices, and means controlled bysaid last named electromagnetic devices upon energization thereof forimparting a single operation to said combination of printing elements toprint the complete character identified by said devices.

3. In a printing machine, a plurality of print heads each includingprinting wires selectable in various combinations to form diiierentcharacters, advancing means to move selected. ones of said wires fromnon-print to print positions, a reciprocating bail member common to thewires of all said heads controlling said advancing means and alsooperable to return said selected wires to non-print positions, latchingdevices for said printing wires having normally operative positionsrelative thereto, means under control of said bail member when returningsaid wires to non-print positions for rendering ineflective saidlatching devices, means to selectively retain certain of said latchingdevices ineffective while said advancing means is operated, and means torestore to normal the remaining latching devices.

i. In a printing machine, a plurality of print heads each includingprinting wires selectable in various combinations to form differentcharacters, advancing means to move selected ones of said wires fromnon-print to print positions, a reciprocating bail member common to thewires of all said heads controlling said advancing means and alsooperable to return said selected wires to non-print positions, latchingdevices for said printing wires having normally operative positionsrelative thereto, means under con trol of said bail member whenreturning said wires to non-print positions for rendering ineffectivesaid latching devices, electromagnetic de vices operable, whenenergized, to retain said latching devices ineffective while saidadvancing means is operating, record controlled means for selectivelyenergizing certain of said electromagnetic devices, and means to restoreto normal those latching devices whose electromagnetic devices remainde-energized.

5. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements selectable invarious combinations to form different characters and having printpositions and primary and secondary non-print positions to which theyare adapted to be moved, means to so move said printing elements, alatching device for each printing element having an operative positionrelative thereto when said element is in its primary non-print positionand also having a release position, means controlled by said movingmeans when said printing element is being moved to its secondarynon-print position to move said latching device to its release position,means to selectively retain certain of said latch devices in. theirrelease positions, and means to restore the non-selected latchingdevices to their operative positions.

6. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements selectable invarious combinations fill to form different characters and having printpositions and primary and secondary non-print positions to which theyare adapted to be moved, means to so move said printing elements, alatching device for each printing element having an operative positionrelative thereto when said element is in its primary non-print positionand also having a release position, spaced collars on each printingelement, one of which is engageable with the associated latching devicein the primary non-print position of said printing element, and theother collar engaging said latching device to move it to releaseposition upon movement of said printing element to its secondarynon-print position, an electromagnetic device for each latching device,means to selectively energize certain of said electromagnetic devices toretain their respective latching devices in release position, and meansto restore the remaining latching devices to operative position forre-engagement with the first named collars of their associated printingelements.

'7. In a printing machine, a plurality of print heads each includingprinting wires selectable in various combinations to form differentcharacters, advancing means to move selected ones of said wires fromnon-print to print positions, a reciprocating bail member common to thewires of all said heads controlling said advancing means and alsooperable to return said selected wires to non-print positions, latchingdevices for said printing wires having normally operative positionsrelative thereto, means under control of said bail member vhen returningsaid wires to non-print positions for rendering ineiiective saidlatching devices, an electromagnetic device for each of said latchingdevices, record controlled means for selectively energizing certain ofsaid electromagnetic devices to retain their latching devicesineffective while said advancing means is operated, and means to restoreto normal those latching devices whose electromagnetic devices are notenergized.

8. In a printing machine, a framework, a plurality of contiguouslymounted panels supported therein and each comprising a plurality ofprint heads having a multiplicity of selectively operable printingelements, guides through which the elements of each head extend,supporting members for said guides, a latch device for each printingelement mounted on one of said supporting members and having operativeand inoperative positions relative to its printing element, meansincluding an individual spring for each printing element and a commonrestoring bail for all the elements mounted in one of said panels to,respectively, move said elements from nonprint to print positions and torestore them to non-print positions, means to operate saicl restoringbail, an electromagnetic device for each latching device mounted on oneof said supporting members and controlling the position of its latchdevice relative to the associated printing elements, and means toselectively energize certain or" said electromagnetic devices to renderinoperative their respective latching devices.

9. In a printing machine, a framework, a plurality of contiguouslymounted panels supported therein and each comprising a plurality ofprint heads having a multiplicity of selectively operable printingelements, guides through which the elements of each head extend,supporting members for said guides, a latch device for each printingelement mounted on one of said supporting members and having operativeand inoperative 17 positions relative to its printing element, meansincluding an individual spring for each printing element and a commonrestoring bail for all the elements mounted in one of said panels to,re-

spectively, move said elements from non-print to print positions and torestore them to non-print positions, means to operate said restoringbail, an electromagnetic device for each latch device mounted on one ofsaid supporting members and controlling the position of its latch devicerel-ative to the associated printing elements, cooperating means betweeneach printing element and its latch device for moving the latter to itsinoperative position upon movement of the printing element to non-printposition, and record controlled means for selectively energizing certainof said electromagnetic devices to retain their latching devicesinoperative while the associated printing elements are being moved toprint positions by their springs.

10. In a printing machine, a plurality of print heads, a circuit foreach head including means to conductor through the first circuit forprinting a zero by the circuit of lower denominational order.

11. In a printing machine, a plurality of print heads each including amultiplicity of printing elements selectable in various combinations toform different characters including zeros, circuits for said print headsserially arranged in denominational order and each including meansindividual to each printing element for selecting the same foroperation, means cooperating with said individual means to operate theselected printing elements to print a character, asource of supply forsaid circuits, a conductor connected to said source and common to saidcircuits and normallydisconnected therefrom, the circuit of highestdenominational order being. entirely disconnected from said conductor,and means in one circuit perable upon the selectionof a significantfigure to be printed to connect a'circuit of lower denominationol orderto said common conductor through the first named circuit for printing azero by the circuit of lower denominational order.

12. In a printing machine, a print head comprising a plurality ofprinting wires selectable in various combinations each identifying adifferent character to be printed and movable between print andnon-print positions, means to move to print position each selectedcombination of printing wires, means thereafter operable to restore theselected combination of wires to non-print position, a plurality ofelectromagnetic devices, one for each of said printing wires,cooperating with the first named moving means to render the sameeffective when said devicesare energized, and each device having anarmature'means .operable to hold said armature open, means to close saidarmatures when said printing wires are restored to non-print position,and means thereupon operable to energize a groupof said electromagneticdevices corresponding to the combination .of printing wiresthatidentifies a characterto be p n cd o ret n t arm s 0 sa qsrpurin 18closed position to thereby render effective the first named movingmeans.

13. In a printing machine, a print head comprising a plurality ofprinting wires selectable in various combinations each identifying adifferent character and movable between print and non-print positions,means to move to print position each selected combination of printingwires that identifies a character, means to then move the selectedcombination of wires to non-print position, latching devices, one foreach of said printing wires, movable to non-latching position reiativeto its wire, means to so move said latching devices, selectivelyoperable means for retaining certain of said latching devices in theirnonlatching position so that their associated printing wires will moveto their print position under control of the first named moving means,and means operable before movement of the last named printing wires toprint position to restore the remaining latching devices to latchingposition relative to their respective wires to retain the latter innon-print position while said last named wires are being moved to printposition.

14. In a printing machine,aprintheadcomprising a plurality of printingwires selectable in various combinations each identifying a difierentcharacter and movable between print and nonprint positions, means tomove to print position each selected combination of printing wires thatidentifies a character, means to then move the selected combination ofwires to non-print position, latching devices, one for each of saidprinting wires, movable to non-latching position relative to its wire,means to so move said latching devices, electromagnets, one for eachprinting wire, selectively operable to retain certain of said latchingdevices in their non-latching position so that certain of said printingwires will move to their print position under control of the first namedmoving means, and means operable before movement of said certainprinting wires to print position'to restore the remaining latchingdevices to latching position relative to their respective wires toretain the latter in non-print position while said certain wires arebeing moved to print position.

15. In a printing machine, a print head comprising a plurality ofprinting wires grouped to form different characters and selectivelyoperable in various combinations each identifying one of saidcharacters, means to move to print position each selected combination ofprinting wires that identifies a character, means to then move theselected combination of wires to non-print position, a latch device foreach printing wire being moved to print position by said first namedmoving means, means to selectively operate said electromagnets, andmeans to restore non-selected latching devices to latching positionprior to printing to allow printing by the wires associated withoperated magnets.

16. In a printing machine, a print head comprising a plurality ofprinting wires grouped to form difierent characters and selectivelyoperable in various combinations each identifying one of saidcharacters, means to move to print position each selected combination ofprinting wires that identifies a character, means to then move theselected combination of Wires to non-print position, a latch device foreach printing wire having latching and non-latching positions relativeto its wire, cooperating means on each printing wire and its latchdevice for actuating the latter to its non-latching position duringmovement of said printing wire to non-print position under control ofthe second named moving means, a plurality of electromagnets, one foreach wire, selectively operated in accordance with said combinations forretaining the latch devices of certain wires in their non-latchingposition while their respective printing wires are being moved to printposition by the first named moving means, record controiled means toselectively operate said electromagnets, and means to restorenon-selected latching devices to latching position prior to printing toallow printing by the wires associated with operated magnets.

17. In a printing machine, a print head comprising a plurality ofprinting wires grouped to form difierent characters and selectivelyoperable in various combinations each identifying one of saidcharacters, means to move to print position each selected combination ofprinting wires that identifies a character, means to then move theselected combination or" wires to non-print position, a latch device foreach printing wire having latching and non-latching positions relativeto its wire, cooperating means on each printing wire and its latchdevice for actuating the latter to its non-latching position duringmovement of said printing wire to non-print position under control ofthe second named moving means, a plurality of electromagnets, one foreach wire, selectively operated in accordance with said combinations forretaining the latch devices of certain wires in their non-latchingposition while their respective printing wires are being moved to printposition by the first named moving means, means operable upon thelatching devices of the remaining printing wires before movement of saidcertain wires toward their printing position to restore the remaininglatching devices to latching position relative to their respective wiresto retain the latter in non-print position, and

vidually associated with respective ones of said printing elements andeach movable to an effective position in which it prevents movement ofthe respective printing element to printing position and to anineffective position in which it permits movement of said printingelement to printing position, means to return each of said controldevices to said effective position, means common to all of said printingelements and their control devices and operable to move all of saidprinting elements away from printing position and all of said controldevices to their inefiective positions and subsequently to permit returnof said control devices to said eiiective positions and to then move toprinting position any printing elements not prevented by their controldevices from moving to printing position, means individual to each ofsaid control devices and activatable to hold the respective controldevices in inchestive position, and means to selectively activate saidholding means to hold selected control devices in ineffective positionwhile said common means is operating to permit the remainder of saidcontrol devices to return to eiiective position and to move the printingelements associated with the held control devices to printing position,the remainder of the printing elements being prevented from moving toprinting position by those control devices which are returned toeffective position.

19. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements movable inopposite directions to and away from printing position, a like pluralityof control devices individually associated with respective ones of saidprinting elements and each movable to an effective position in which itstops movement of the respective printing element in a first one of saiddirections and to an ineffective position in which it does not interferewith such movement; of said printing element, means to return each ofsaid control devices to said effective position, means common to all ofsaid printing elements and their control devices and operable to moveall of said printing elements in the opposite one of said directions andall of said control devices to their ineffective positions andsubsequently to. permit return of said control devices to said effectivepositions and to move in said first direction any printing elements notprevented by their control devices from moving in said first direction,means individual to each of said control devices and activatable to holdthe respective control devices in ineilective position, and means toselectively activate said holding means to hold selected control devicesin ineffective position while said common means is operating to permitthe remainder of said control devices to return to effective positionand to move the printing elements associated with the held controldevices in said first direction, movement of the remainder of theprinting elements in said first direction being stopped by those controldevices which are returned to effective position.

20. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements movable to.and away from printing position, a like plurality of control devicesindividually associated with respective ones of said printing elementsand. each comprising an armature movable to an open. position in whichit prevents movement of the respective printing element to printingposition and to a closed position in which it permits movement of saidprinting element to printing position, electromagnetic means energizableto hold. said armature in closed position after movement to thatposition, and means. to return each of said armatures to said: openposition, means common to all of said printing elements and operable tomove all of said printing elements away from printing position and then.move to. printing position any printing elements not prevented by theirarmatures from moving to printing position, said printing elements andthe respective armatures having portions cooperating to move thearmatures to closed position during a final portion of. the movement ofthe respective printing elements away from printing position by saidcommon means and to permit return of the respec tive armatures to openposition during an initial' portion of the movement of the printingelements toward printing position, and means to selectively energizesaid electromagnetic devices to hold the respective armatures in closedposition while said common means operates to permit the remainder ofsaid armatures to move to open position andto move the printing elementsassociated with the held armatures to move to printing position, theremainder of the printing elements being prevented from moving toprinting position by those armatures which are returned to openposition.

21. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements movable inopposite directions to and away from printing position, a like pluralityof control devices individually associated with respective ones of saidprinting elements and each comprising an armature movable to an openposition in which it stops movement of the respective printing elementin a first one of said directions and to a closed position in which itdoes not interfere with such movement of said printing element,electromagnetic means energizable to hold said armature in closedposition after movement to that position, and means to return each ofsaid armatures to said open position, means common to all of saidprinting elements and operable to move all of said printing elements ina second one of said opposite directions and then move in said firstdirection any printing elements not stopped by their armatures, saidprinting elements and the respective armatures having portionscooperating to move the armatures to closed position during a finalportion of the movement of the respective printing elements .in saidsecond direction by said common means and to permit return of therespective armatures to open position during an initial portion of themovement of the printing 22 elements in said second direction, and meansto selectively energize said electromagnetic devices to hold therespective armatures in closed position while said common means operatesto permit the remainder of said armatures to move to open position andto move the printing elements associated with the held armatures in saidfirst direction, the movement of the remainder of the printing elementsin said first direction being stopped by those armatures which arereturned to open position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,028,037 Lilleberg May 28, 1912 1,124,150 Lilleberg Jan. 5,1915 2,016,682 Mills Oct. 8, 1935 2,053,243 Mills Sept. 1, 19362,111,122 Mills Mar. 15, 1938 2,129,065 Loop Sept. 6, 1938 2,248,522Conrad July 8, 1941 2,291,970 Neumann-Lezius Aug. 4, 1942 2,338,173Furman Jan. 4, 1944 2,353,083 Roth July 4, 1944 2,486,985 Ruderfer Nov.1, 1949 2,524,127 Johnson -1 Oct. 3, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number CountryDate 523,698 Germany Aug. 21, 1933

